Sunday, July 21

Tandem Clean-Up (Before and After)

I spent several hours this weekend wearing my rubber gloves and scrubbing down the tandem... which reminds me, this bike really needs a name. I can't keep calling her "the tandem" all the time. Anyway, someone told us to use Lime-Away to take off some of the rust, and it really helped. I was scrubbing and scrubbing (and scrubbing), and Johnny had to stop me and remind me that it isn't going to look brand new... it's a very old bike. Sometimes I can get carried away. Here's the improvement:

I took Hope for a quick ride down the street and we decided this bike needed some REAL breaking in. She grabbed her helmet and we explored our neighborhood. It was a special night. I asked, "Hope, do you think you'll remember these nights when you're all grown up? The breeze, the sounds, the smells?" Of course, she doesn't realize how sentimental you become about those things when you're an adult. She said, "Uh... I hope so." Me, too.

42 comments:

Lady, between the bike and the vinyl couch, you are one dedicated scrubber! I'm impressed! You are so sweet with your girls. I'm sure they'll grow up and know they had an amazing childhood and that their parents were a big part of that magic.

Also, because I can always remember the most random things (none of which are useful in everyday life), I was wondering about an old post you made. It was a picture of you and Johnny from high school and there was some cute history behind it. Would you share? No pressure though ;)

i remember riding a tandem with my dad when we were on vacation at the north sea. i was probably younger than hope now... so she might remember it too when she is older. i remember it like it was a week or so ago. it was a bit hard for my to reach the pedals as i was a bit too small so i just putting my feet up and didn't pedal at all and let my dad to all the work. i really thought he hasn't noticed it at all. i felt so smart and sneaky and giggled a lot in the back of the tandem. he told me when we talked about it recently that it was the cutest, letting me think he didn't know.

"Uh...I hope so." hehe that's so sweet. I get so sentimental about everything lately!

I remember being very small and watching my dad video tape our family all around a bonfire by the lake and I told him to wait until something interesting happens and not to waste film on this boring stuff. He looked at me and said, "Shelley, some day you'll look back and realize these 'boring' moments are actually the biggest moments." I will never forget that!

It looks great! Those old Schwinns clean up nicely. My husband and I have matching 1974, Flamboyant Lime, Schwinn Suburbans that we happened across at different times, but they're a perfect pair. One was really shabby when we bought it, but with lots of love it looks fabulous now.

Katie, if you put WD-40 on a soft rag and wipe your tandem down with it, it will help to keep the rust from building up again. :) Awesome bike. I have an old Schwinn that I got when I was about 6. It was my very first bike and the only one I ever had growing up. It is in need of a major overhaul. I will one day do this. I believe it is possible from the mid 50's. I love it.

My friend and I just bout the same bike of craigslist! We used Brillo Pads on all the rusted silver and used CLR on the blue. Now I wish I would have taken before and after pics because yours look amazing!

Such a beautiful bicycle - well worth the effort! Bicycles are a huge part of our home life...my husband even had his BMX at our wedding! Bicycles make the best memories!xox Laurahttp://www.madepeachy.com

Wow, it looks so much more amazing in the after picture. I don't know how you always look so stylish even when cleaning!

If you are trying to get rid of rust on the chromed areas (handlebar etc) I've found that using some metal polish and wire wool then wiping it down with a cloth can take it straight off if it is surface rust.

I have just started a project to do up a bicycle and started a blog to record it, but it requires rather more work than a clean up sadly! Lots of replacing of parts/ repainting... But to be able to ride a pretty bicycle I am sure it will be worth it.